In what situation can you use the external flash that the built in flash couldnt?

rustynail925 · 01-12-2010, 05:18 AM

Aside from bounce flash, in what situation / uses you can do w/ the external flash that the built in flash couldnt?

RBellavance · 01-12-2010, 05:47 AM

High-speed sync (shutter speed faster than 1/180s), e.g. fill flash outdoors. Also, lighting from somewhere else than straight ahead using off-camera flash and wireless triggering.

rustynail925 · 01-12-2010, 06:01 AM

But isnt the built in flash capable also of 1/180s?

RBellavance · 01-12-2010, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

But isnt the built in flash capable also of 1/180s?

Yes, but not faster (e.g. 1/250s or 1/500s). This often means it can't be used for fill-in outdoors in sunlight.

attack11 · 01-12-2010, 07:12 AM

off axis (ideally on a bracket) for a nice pttl fill.

Gooshin · 01-12-2010, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

Aside from bounce flash, in what situation / uses you can do w/ the external flash that the built in flash couldnt?

anytime you dont want harsh light bouncing off peoples faces or objects you are photographing

which is probably 99% of the time

the pop up flash really is a last ditch effort and i would avoid it as much as possible, it makes your photos no better than those out of a point and shoot.

out of all my photographs this is the only one where i purposely went overkill on the flash...

sterretje · 01-12-2010, 08:10 AM

Reach (distance) would be another consideration.

Nesster · 01-12-2010, 08:18 AM

Or using a lens such as the DA 16-45 at the wider end...

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-12-2010, 09:23 AM

I think the posts pretty well sum it up

- bounce (from the OP)
- wide angle coverage
- off axis flash (bracket)
- extra reach
- HSS (although th e*istD can do this with the internal flash)
- better control of flash exposure compensation

Nesster · 01-12-2010, 09:25 AM

I should have clarified: with some lenses, DA16-45 among them, the pop up flash casts a shadow from the lens.

Eruditass · 01-12-2010, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

anytime you dont want harsh light bouncing off peoples faces or objects you are photographing

which is probably 99% of the time

the pop up flash really is a last ditch effort and i would avoid it as much as possible, it makes your photos no better than those out of a point and shoot.

out of all my photographs this is the only one where i purposely went overkill on the flash...

Nice shot

rustynail925 · 01-12-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I think the posts pretty well sum it up

- bounce (from the OP)
- wide angle coverage
- off axis flash (bracket)
- extra reach
- HSS (although th e*istD can do this with the internal flash)
- better control of flash exposure compensation

What is off axis flash (bracket)? HSS?
Can you recommend me a good performance/price external flash

rustynail925 · 01-12-2010, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Or using a lens such as the DA 16-45 at the wider end...

I notice upon aquiring the DA 16-45, i cant use the flash at wide angle and even at 45mm if i get too close to the subject.. are all zoom lenses aside from the kit lens cast a shadow?

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-12-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

I notice upon aquiring the DA 16-45, i cant use the flash at wide angle and even at 45mm if i get too close to the subject.. are all zoom lenses aside from the kit lens cast a shadow?

this is an issue of the lens hood, which shadows the subject if you are too close, or very long lenses, but yes generally it is a problem

ghelary · 01-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Asking why an external flash is like asking why an SLR. There are books written about flash.

On the internet the site strobist is recognized as the biggest source of information on the web.

01-12-2010, 05:18 AM	#1
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	In what situation can you use the external flash that the built in flash couldnt? Aside from bounce flash, in what situation / uses you can do w/ the external flash that the built in flash couldnt?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K7 built-in flash in M	sinus007	Pentax DSLR Discussion	17	08-18-2010 08:22 AM
Problems with external and built in flash...	Berrakovic	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	06-04-2009 10:06 PM
flash guide updated for k-7 built-in flash	mattdm	Pentax News and Rumors	4	05-26-2009 06:02 PM
wireless flash using built in flash k200d	dtra	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	3	04-04-2008 12:34 AM
Using built in flash	dvdman45	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	11-29-2007 05:32 PM

01-12-2010, 05:47 AM	#2
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	High-speed sync (shutter speed faster than 1/180s), e.g. fill flash outdoors. Also, lighting from somewhere else than straight ahead using off-camera flash and wireless triggering.

01-12-2010, 06:01 AM	#3
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	But isnt the built in flash capable also of 1/180s?

01-12-2010, 06:28 AM	#4
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by rustynail925 But isnt the built in flash capable also of 1/180s? Yes, but not faster (e.g. 1/250s or 1/500s). This often means it can't be used for fill-in outdoors in sunlight.

01-12-2010, 07:12 AM	#5
attack11 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON - Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 658	off axis (ideally on a bracket) for a nice pttl fill.

01-12-2010, 07:21 AM	#6
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by rustynail925 Aside from bounce flash, in what situation / uses you can do w/ the external flash that the built in flash couldnt? anytime you dont want harsh light bouncing off peoples faces or objects you are photographing which is probably 99% of the time the pop up flash really is a last ditch effort and i would avoid it as much as possible, it makes your photos no better than those out of a point and shoot. out of all my photographs this is the only one where i purposely went overkill on the flash...

01-12-2010, 08:10 AM	#7
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Reach (distance) would be another consideration.

01-12-2010, 08:18 AM	#8
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Or using a lens such as the DA 16-45 at the wider end...

01-12-2010, 09:23 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	I think the posts pretty well sum it up - bounce (from the OP) - wide angle coverage - off axis flash (bracket) - extra reach - HSS (although th e*istD can do this with the internal flash) - better control of flash exposure compensation

01-12-2010, 09:25 AM	#10
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I should have clarified: with some lenses, DA16-45 among them, the pop up flash casts a shadow from the lens.

01-12-2010, 09:28 AM	#11
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by Gooshin anytime you dont want harsh light bouncing off peoples faces or objects you are photographing which is probably 99% of the time the pop up flash really is a last ditch effort and i would avoid it as much as possible, it makes your photos no better than those out of a point and shoot. out of all my photographs this is the only one where i purposely went overkill on the flash... Nice shot

01-12-2010, 09:36 AM	#12
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I think the posts pretty well sum it up - bounce (from the OP) - wide angle coverage - off axis flash (bracket) - extra reach - HSS (although th e*istD can do this with the internal flash) - better control of flash exposure compensation What is off axis flash (bracket)? HSS? Can you recommend me a good performance/price external flash

01-12-2010, 09:39 AM	#13
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster Or using a lens such as the DA 16-45 at the wider end... I notice upon aquiring the DA 16-45, i cant use the flash at wide angle and even at 45mm if i get too close to the subject.. are all zoom lenses aside from the kit lens cast a shadow?

01-12-2010, 09:42 AM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by rustynail925 I notice upon aquiring the DA 16-45, i cant use the flash at wide angle and even at 45mm if i get too close to the subject.. are all zoom lenses aside from the kit lens cast a shadow? this is an issue of the lens hood, which shadows the subject if you are too close, or very long lenses, but yes generally it is a problem

01-12-2010, 09:43 AM	#15
ghelary Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 613	Asking why an external flash is like asking why an SLR. There are books written about flash. On the internet the site strobist is recognized as the biggest source of information on the web.